A Modest Declaration

I am not a white man Or any other color of Any other man And I will be damned If I let you call me ‘Other’ And please do not presume to assume That I am one of you

I am not a Christian man Yet I tithe and thrive in a Christian construct By birth I am an American But I would sacrifice that plan Just to be a good man

In the course of human events Silence is consent so I am not content To leave your understanding to your own devices Of distortion, extortion, disproportion

So hear me in your silence or in your roar

Or in your rage I hereby disengage from all but my children All but my close friends, former or forever All but any living soul who honors truth

I am not a white man Or any other color of Any other man And I will be damned If I let you call me ‘Other’